Not growing a garden?

Anyone growing some weeds?

We have a flower garden, if it can be called that, with weeds growing in it.

By the way, speaking of weeds, what is the best way of getting rid of weeds on a more permanent scale?

Daryl do you have "Outlaw Weeds" in Canada?

As I get older pulling weeds becomes more challenging. Some plants such as blackberries are difficult to control with out applying an herbicide.

I would consider the lasagna method that I gave a link to earlier.

Some growers apply steaming hot water to weeds to kill them.

We use a strap hoe as well as our digits to extract the unwanted plants, seems like we always miss some though.


The politics of plants is an interesting subject, in it's self.

Outlaw weeds?

What do they look like?

My definition of "Outlaw Weeds," is just a generic term for plants that are on a "government hit list" to exterminate them.

"Legislation to outlaw the movement of specified noxious weeds."

"Under the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 , the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to prohibit the importation and interstate transportation and sale of species that the Secretary has deemed noxious through actions such as inspection and quarantine. The Secretary is allowed to seize, treat, destroy and dispose of items that have been contaminated with a noxious weed."

"The local government of Pretoria has sent out weed inspectors to impose $900 fines on those who fail to rip out jacaranda seedlings, although large adult trees will be allowed to remain." Outlaw Weeds

I suppose it would be any plant on your governments (federal, state, local) that is controlled in some way.

A List of noxious weeds in Nova Scotia
1 Class Number One weeds--capable of spreading from the source to cultivated or pasture lands

Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf)
Anthriscus sylvestris (wild chervil)
Asclepias syriaca (milkweed)
Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed)
Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge)
Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge)
Lychnis alba (white cockle)
Senecio jacobaea (tansy ragwort)
Stachys palustris (woundwort)

2 Class Number Two weeds--capable of inflicting economic loss or ill health on people within the Province

Datura spp. (thorn-apple)

On the other hand California has over 160 plants listed in these categories:

A Noxious weed and noxious weed seed: eradication, containment, rejection, or other holding action at the state-county level. Quarantine interceptions to be rejected or treated at any point in the state.

B Noxious weed and noxious weed seed: eradication, containment, control or other holding action at the discretion of the commissioner

C Noxious weed and noxious weed seed: state-endorsed holding action and eradication only when found in a nursery; action to retard spread outside of nurseries at the discretion of the commissioner; reject only when found in a cropseed for planting or at the discretion of the commissioner. Designated noxious weeds in the CA Code of Regulations.

Q Noxious weed and noxious weed seed: temporary "A" action outside of nurseries at the state-county level pending determination of a permanent rating.

In the U. S. you can't transport certain plants into a state. Until recently the State of California had inspection stations where certain fruits were not allowed into the state.

Of course Cannabis is illegal in most countries ( I believe, there is some type of U. N. treaties regarding it). At one time Cannabis was a required plant to grow. Cannabis is starting to make a legal come back for Hemp: A New Crop with New Uses for North America*

I have heard weeds described as any plant that is out of place.

Wheat or oats growing in the flower bed or roses in the grain field would be considered weeds.

What about the yellow blossomed dandelion? Not certain of spelling.

Isn't it also considered to be a weed?

I'm sure that lawn enthusiast and greens keepers would say so.

However, I had a now deceased uncle who grew dandelion in his garden and my aunt canned the greens. Other known uses of the plant; flowers can be used to make wine; leaves are edible and good for digestion; roots sometimes used as coffee substitute.

Ounce for ounce, they have more calcium than milk and as much iron as spinach, they also have beta-carotene, vits B, C, & E, fiber, magnesium, & potassium.

It is listed in many herbals, eg. Botanical.com and sold as seed. The Cook's Garden are examples.

So is dandelion a weed? Depends who you talk to.

I don't have a lawn on our 20 acres, so if they want to grow, I let them grow in many places.

I thought that those French improved Greens Dandelion looked pretty good.

I may have to get some seed for next years garden.

When it comes to weeds, I would say there are weeds and then there are noxious weeds. One that falls into the later category is that of the Puncture Vine Tribulus terrestris sometimes called goatshead.

Apparently the plant has some good qualities as it has been used in European and Chinese folk medicine.

But if you or your pet have stepped on the seed pod or ran over it with a bicycle tire, you would definitely consider it more than just a pesky plant.

I see that even this plant is now becoming popular among "athletes and body builders due to the belief that it raises testosterone levels." Apparently it is being touted, "to be effective in increasing energy levels and muscle mass, and in improving sexual performance." viable herbal solutions

Could it be said, that what is 'one man's weed, may be another man's treasure"?

I happen to not a new product in the market today on the self with the soy, almond, oat, and rice milk and that was "Hemp milk. Another use for cannabis.